Main Purpose of the Job

We are looking for a Research Scientist to undertake research activities around nutrition and health, and food composition data harmonisation.

The post holder will be responsible for activities including:
(1) Research related to nutrition and health, nutrition and sustainability, food and gut microbiota interactions.
(2) Working with the FN-NBRI team and external stakeholders on food composition data harmonisation and curation ensuring the highest quality is maintained.
(3) Supporting on FN-NBRI external industry projects.
(4) Contributing to FN-NBRI core data resources and capabilities.

Key Relationships

Within QIB, the post holder will work closely with the Head of the Food and Nutrition National Bioscience Research Infrastructure (FN-NBRI), the rest of the FN-NBRI team, and QIB Extra. Externally, the post holder will work with external collaborators including a wide range of users from academia, industry and NGOs across the food and nutrition field, and other food data compilers from Europe and beyond.
 

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Undertaking nutrition research related to FN-NBRI areas (e.g. around nutritional quality of plant-based diets, diet and sustainability etc), utilising FN-NBRI data resources

35

Ensuring the UK Composition of Foods Integrated Dataset (CoFID) data are promptly updated within the food composition database manager (FoodCASE) and made available to the wider research community through FN-NBRI tools (e.g. the FN-NBRI searchable tool)

35

Supporting new food composition data acquisition and curation, in particular relating to preparing data (individual foods and recipes) for publication into analytical reports and digital forms

10

Acquisition and evaluation of new plant bioactive data for eBASIS database

5

Contributing towards Nutritional Information Solutions, including calculating and checking nutritional labels for SMEs

5

Active dissemination and stakeholder activities related to food composition data, nutrition and health via scientific publications, social media, talks, and popular articles

5

As agreed with the line manager, any other duties are commensurate with the nature of the post.

5

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

A degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, Food Science or related discipline with a PhD

Essential

A PhD (full award or expected within 6 months) in Nutrition, Dietetics, Food Science or equivalent experience

Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Knowledge of nutrition and health, in particular nutrients and their contribution to healthy diets

Essential

Knowledge or experience of handling food composition data and recipe calculation procedures

Essential

Knowledge of food composition data management tools

Desirable

Working knowledge of statistical data analysis using R or Python

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Experience of generating and/or using food composition data (e.g. national composition data, nutrient intake assessments, nutrition surveys)

Essential

Research experience and track record of scientific publications related to nutrition and dietetics

Essential

Experience in working with multiple stakeholders (e.g. academia, government, industry)

Desirable

Experience in contributing to applications for grant funding

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a team

Essential

Demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills

Essential

Excellent time management and organisational skills with the ability to work independently to tight deadlines

Essential

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to present complex information with clarity

Essential

Promotes and strives for continuous improvement

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

Essential

Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute.

Essential

Willingness to travel for project meetings (reasonable adjustments will be considered)

Desirable

Quadram Institute Bioscience

The Quadram Institute is at the forefront of a new interface between food science, gut biology and health, developing solutions to worldwide challenges in food-related disease and human health.

We are engaged in fundamental and translational food and health research, alongside clinical studies, endoscopy and industry, working together to become a leading international hub for food and health research, combining scientific excellence and clinical expertise, delivering impacts on patient care and accelerating innovation.

The Quadram Institute is a diverse and multicultural scientific community. We thrive on our international and European links, appointing staff from across the world. Any candidate who would like further information on current or anticipated immigration requirements can contact the HR Team on +44 (0)1603 450888 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk.

For more information about working at Quadram Institute Bioscience, please click here.

Department

Food and Nutrition - NBRI

Group Details

The Food and Nutrition National Bioscience Research Infrastructure (FN-NBRI), is the leading national provider of new and continuously updated data, knowledge and tools relating to food composition, intake and food systems for use by different end-users including academia, industry, healthcare, government, consumers. We compile and publish data on the composition of foods eaten in the UK (McCance & Widdowsons’s ‘The Composition of Foods’), which is used to provide the nutritional information for food labelling across the UK and the National Diet and Nutrition Survey for the Department of Health and Social Care. FN-NBRI enables delivery of nutritional policy and high-quality science in support of current and emerging national needs in nutrition (food composition and intake), health (e.g., obesity, healthy ageing) and sustainability (environment, food security). We are working closely with QIB and external scientists to support higher-resolution nutrition data, new dietary tools, and integration of food & microbiome data to underpin high-quality research in plant-based diets, personalised nutrition & health, and in food safety of transforming UK food systems.
 

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Research Scientist

We are seeking a talented and motivated Research Scientist to join our team at the Food and Nutrition National Bioscience Research Infrastructure (FN-NBRI) at Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), based in Norwich, UK.

In this role, you will undertake innovative research in nutrition and health while contributing to the harmonisation and curation of food composition data. This is an excellent opportunity to make a significant impact on national nutrition resources that inform policy, research, and industry practices.

Background:

FN-NBRI is the leading national provider of new and continuously updated data, knowledge, and tools relating to food composition, intake, and food systems. Our resources serve diverse end-users including academia, industry, healthcare, government, and consumers. We enable the delivery of nutritional policy and high-quality science supporting national needs in nutrition, health, and sustainability. We work closely with Quadram Institute and external scientists to support higher-resolution nutrition data, new dietary tools, and integration of food & microbiome data.

The role:

The post holder will be responsible for activities such as:

(1) Conduct cutting-edge research related to nutrition and health, nutrition and sustainability, and food and gut microbiota interactions,
(2) Harmonising and standardising existing and new food composition data
(3) support acquisition and curation of food composition data to be made available to our community,
(4) Disseminate findings to varied stakeholders, including the research community
(5) supporting FN-NBRI with external projects . 

The ideal candidate:

This post will be well-suited to a PhD graduate in nutrition and health, and a strong interest in food composition, food data harmonisation. They will be able to demonstrate their research background with published work in nutrition and dietetics and have prior experience in undertaking qualitative and/or quantitative nutrition research, in particular investigating sustainable plant-based diets and health. Finally, they will have strong interpersonal skills to engage with varied collaborators (researchers, academia, industry, healthcare), and be highly motivated and organised to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills. 

The post holder will have the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills further through excellent training and development support provided by NBI (both professional and personal development) as well as benefit from our QIB mentoring programme.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £36,720 to £44,500 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post offered on an indefinite basis.

This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.  Please contact the Human Resources Team if you have any questions regarding your application or visa options.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sectors of society.  The Institute supports equality of opportunity within the workplace and expects all employees to share and display these values.  To support our commitment, we have a range of family, faith and diversity friendly working arrangements to help all staff achieve excellence in their area of work.

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy.

About the Quadram Institute:

The Quadram Institute is a new interdisciplinary research institute dedicated to understanding how food and microbes interact to promote health and prevent disease. Its mission is to deliver healthier lives through innovation in gut health, microbiology and food. A partnership between Quadram Institute Bioscience, the University of East Anglia, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and BBSRC, it brings together scientists and clinicians in a state-of-the-art building on the Norwich Research Park. This is one of Europe’s largest centres of life sciences and home of the John Innes Centre and The Earlham Institute. (https://quadram.ac.uk/).

The closing date for applications will be 29 May 2025

The Quadram Institute Bioscience is a registered charity (No. 1058499) and is an Equal Opportunities Employer.